Shock as majority of HGV drivers stopped on A55 are breaking the law

DEFECTIVE tyres, drivers’ hours and overloaded vehicles were discovered during a crack-down on HGV drivers.

More than three quarters of vehicles stopped by the multi-agency operation on the A55 on Anglesey on Tuesday were found to be breaching the law.
Officers from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, Roads Policing Unit, VOSA Enforcement Team, and Customs and Excise took part in Operation Mermaid looking at road safety and checking heavy goods vehicles at Dalar Hir.

Out of the 43 vehicles stopped as part of the operation 35 (80 per cent) were breaking the law with officers finding offences including people with no valid driving licence, no road tax, vehicle overloading, committing driver hours’ offences, using mobile phones, defective tyres and excess speed.

Sergeant Tony Gatley, who led the operation said: “The number of offences detected during the operation shows how vital initiatives such as this are, as a number of companies and drivers continue to disregard the law.

“It is shocking and disappointing to think how many drivers have a complete disregard to, not only their own safety but the safety of other road users.

"People are still driving uninsured, do not have licenses, drive using mobile phones and drive without wearing seatbelts.

"We need help from the people of North Wales to help us to improve driver behaviour. If you have relatives or friends who drink-drive, drive without insurance or continue to use a mobile or fail to wear a seatbelt please contact us.

The majority of the offences were dealt with by prohibitions, graduated fixed penalty notices and summonses and in excess of £2,000 in fines were paid at the roadside.

Those found to have no insurance had their vehicles seized.
15 breath tests were also carried out but all were negative.

Sergeant Gatley added: "By working with our partners we will continue to ensure that the roads of North Wales are kept safe."

You can report vehicle offences to North wales Police in 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111